Ranking Arsenal's January Transfer Window Targets

With the January transfer window now open, Arsenal have already been linked with a host of names. With Arsene Wenger's side trailing Premier League leaders Chelsea by nine points, speculation inevitably links the Gunners with players who could improve their title chances.

Keeping up with the raft of rumours can be a nightmare, so we've decided to make the job easier for you. We have sifted through the stories to collate the Arsenal transfer rumours in one piece. What's more, we have ranked them according to how relevant each link is to Wenger's needs.

Arsenal's requirements are relatively clear. They are well-stocked for central strikers and centre-halves but could do with quality additions at full-back and even on the flanks.

They also have the spectre of contract talks with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez looming ahead of them—and may need to start considering how to replace the star duo should they choose not to sign.

If Arsenal are linked with a player they've no obvious need for, we will dismiss that early on. As the slideshow progresses, we'll get to the signings who could actually fit the bill for what they need.

5. Dayot Upamecano

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Dayot Upamecano is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (h/t the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan) reported Arsenal are battling with Barcelona to sign Dayot Upamecano.

The 18-year-old centre-half has been one of Europe's breakout stars this season, establishing himself in the Red Bull Salzburg lineup despite his tender years. Upamecano has already been capped by France at under-19 level, and Wenger is no stranger to raiding his homeland for young talent.

However, while Arsenal rightfully monitor Europe's best young players at all times, they have no great need for a new centre-back. With Rob Holding excelling since arriving from Bolton Wanderers in the summer, and Calum Chambers developing well at Middlesbrough, the Gunners are well-stocked for defensive prospects.

Upamecano is an intriguing talent but not one that would improve Arsenal dramatically. 

4. Franck Kessie

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Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie has been one of the surprise stars of Serie A in 2016/17.

Franck Kessie is attracting the interest of some of Europe's biggest clubs. According to TMW (h/t TalkSport), Arsenal are one of several European giants who have dispatched scouts to watch the Atalanta midfielder in action. 

The 20-year-old has been a revelation in this season's Serie A, scoring four goals in six appearances at the start of the campaign. 

Although his name may be unfamiliar on these shores, his reputation has been building for some time. Kessie made his full international debut for Ivory Coast aged just 17. Since moving to Italy, he has been converted from a ball-playing centre-back into a marauding box-to-box midfielder in the Yaya Toure mould.

Kessie is a great prospect, but he operates in an area of the field where Arsenal already have plenty of depth. With the likes of Aaron Ramsey already struggling to hold down a place in the side, it's unlikely that Wenger would move for another midfield engine.

In a season in which Jack Wilshere has been forced to leave the club on loan to get some first-team football, adding another central midfielder to the mix would be a strange decision.

3. Dimitri Payet

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Dimitri Payet has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League.

West Ham United fans might feel a little aggrieved at just how interested in the prospect of a move to Arsenal Dimitri Payet sounds.

In an interview with French radio station RMC (h/t Sky Sports' James Dale), the playmaker said:  

"

I read that Wenger considers me the missing piece of the Arsenal's game, but he's never told me that!

[...]

When you see them playing, as a technical player, you could only have fun in that team. They're candidates for the title every year.

[...]

I'm in a fight with my club and I'm giving everything for them, to get out of this difficult situation, but I'm not closing the door to anything. 

I miss the Champions League... I've got some great years ahead of me and I want to enjoy them by playing in important competitions.

"

In some respects, signing Payet would make sense. When you look at Arsenal's first XI, the most notable area for improvement is the left flank. With Alexis Sanchez having shifted inside to play as a No. 9, that role is now shared between youngsters Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi. However, a more experienced and consistent player could equally fill that berth. 

Nevertheless, Payet's chance of a move to Arsenal has probably already passed him by. The France international will turn 30 before the end of this season, and given the exorbitant fee West Ham are likely to demand for his services, it is unlikely to represent a sound investment.

2. Julian Brandt

If Arsenal are looking for a left-sided attacker with greater residual value than Payet, that might explain why Julian Brandt is of interest. The Bayer Leverkusen winger has been in dazzling form in the Bundesliga this season, and at just 20, he is only likely to improve.

Simon Jones of MailOnline has reported that Arsenal have joined Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Everton in monitoring Brandt's performances. 

The German is a two-footed forward who tends to operate from the left flank, although he has also been deployed as a central striker on occasion. Wenger is sure to admire his versatility and speed—two attributes that are essential for any Arsenal wide man.

At his best, he resembles a young Antoine Griezmann. His nose for goal and ability to cut inside from the left is also occasionally reminiscent of Arsenal legend Robert Pires.

Brandt's youth would make him a gamble, but the upside is clear.

1. Marco Reus

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Marco Reus is unlikely to be available this month.

Marco Reus is by some way the biggest name on this list. The Borussia Dortmund man is reportedly one of the players Arsenal are considering moving for if they lose their star duo of Ozil and Sanchez.

The story comes via Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph, who wrote:

"

Marco Reus has been identified as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil should Arsenal fail to extend the contracts of their two star players.

Arsenal’s priority is still to persuade both players to stay on beyond the expiry date of their existing deals in 2018, but they would be extremely reluctant to let the pair play into the final year of their contracts if no agreement could be reached by next August.

[...]

Like Sanchez, Reus is 27 and can operate both as a main central striker or in one of the three more withdrawn attacking roles that manager Arsene Wenger employs in his usual 4-2-3-1 system.

"

Reus would most likely operate as Alexis’ replacement. As Wilson suggests, he is equally comfortable operating on the wing or through the middle. His speed and dribbling ability make him a constant menace for centre-halves. 

However, how's this for a radical thought: Rather than wait for the Chile international to decide he wants out and leave Arsenal in a tricky position, why not push to recruit Reus earlier? Who knows, perhaps the arrival of another marquee star might even persuade Ozil and Alexis their futures lie in north London?

If Reus arrived in this window, he could join Ozil, Alexis and Theo Walcott in helping Arsenal to formulate the most dangerous attacking unit in English football.

Dortmund are unlikely to countenance any prospect of a sale this month, but the prospect of him arriving and what he would bring make him a standout target.